U.S. patent application number 12/123551 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-25 for clearing system for an electronic-based market.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Clearing Corporation. Invention is credited to David Scheinberg, Larry Scheinberg.
Application Number | 20080319891 12/123551 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24680095 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080319891 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Scheinberg; Larry ; et
al. |
December 25, 2008 |
Clearing System for An Electronic-Based Market
Abstract
A system for an electronic-based market is disclosed. The system
operates with a model where a trader is designated to enter orders
for contracts on behalf of a subscriber. The model uses assets of
the subscriber that are placed into an account that is accessible
by the electronic market to cover risks associated with trades
initiated by the trader. The system includes a plurality of client
stations for entering orders into the electronic market by traders
and a server to receive the orders and match the orders in
accordance with matching criteria. The server maintains for the
subscriber and the subscriber's associated traders a trading
account that is accessible by the electronic market. The server
also includes offsetting, clearing, default, and margin protocols
functions to administer the market. The market uses species
contracts that are derived from a contract genus.
Inventors: |
Scheinberg; Larry; (Boston,
MA) ; Scheinberg; David; (Carlisle, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & RICHARDSON PC
P.O. BOX 1022
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55440-1022
US
|
Assignee: |
The Clearing Corporation
|
Family ID: |
24680095 |
Appl. No.: |
12/123551 |
Filed: |
May 20, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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09667894 |
Sep 22, 2000 |
7376614 |
|
|
12123551 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/37 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 40/04 20130101;
G06Q 40/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/37 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 40/00 20060101
G06Q040/00 |
Claims
1. A method of clearing transactions on an electronic exchange
comprises; performing a full settlement run after cessation of
trading; automatically marking-to-market all open positions; and
determining margin requirements.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein determining margin requirements
determines that a position calls for a cash margin protocol, the
method further comprising: sending to subscribers or subscriber
depository or guaranteeing banks debits and/or credits; and
updating the resulting balances in, each subscriber's account.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein determining margin requirements
determines that a position calls for an asset based margin
protocol, the method further comprising: disseminating position
information but no daily pays or collects will take place so long
as sufficient assets are already identified.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein marking to market further
comprises: posting a position for a subscriber to a subscriber
trading account as soon as any portion of an order is filled.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein marking to market further
comprises: determining whether the subscriber has a position at the
other side of the market that can result in an offset of the
position and the position at the other side of the market.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein marking to market further
comprises: liquidating the trade with any resulting credit or debit
identified as a realized gain or loss in the subscriber's trading
account.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein determining margin requirements
further comprises: recording assets that are delivered to the
exchange for satisfying margin.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein recording assets further
comprises: determining an equivalent asset value to reflect a
capital charge applied to special classes of assets.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein recording assets further
comprises: maintaining an asset inventory for each trading account,
and indicating whether assets in the trading account are limited to
covering a single contract genus or a specific delivery commitment,
or can be applied to multiple products.
10. The method of claim 1 further comprising: determining an
initial margin for each contract species held in a subscriber's
trading account.
11. The method of claim 1 further comprising: determining a
variation margin and applying the variation margin to the
subscriber's trading account.
12. A computer program product residing on a computer readable
medium for clearing transactions on an electronic exchange
comprises instructions for causing a computer to; perform a full
settlement run after cessation of trading; automatically
mark-to-market all open positions; and determine margin
requirements for market participants.
13. The computer program product of claim 12 wherein instructions
to determine margin requirements comprise instructions to causes a
computer to determine that a position calls for a cash margin
protocol.
14. The computer program product of claim 12 wherein instructions
to determine margin requirement further comprise instructions to:
send messages that are debits and/or credits to subscribers or
subscriber depository or guaranteeing banks; and update a resulting
balances in each subscriber's account.
15. The computer program product of claim 12 wherein instructions
to determine margin requirements further comprise instructions to:
determines that a position calls for an asset based margin
protocol.
16. The computer program product of claim 12 wherein instructions
to determine margin requirements further comprise instructions to:
disseminating position information but no daily pays or collects
will take place so long as sufficient assets are already
identified.
17. The computer program product of claim 12 wherein instructions
to mark to market further comprise instructions to: post a position
for a subscriber to a subscriber trading account as soon as any
portion of an order is filled.
18. The computer program product of claim 12 wherein instructions
to mark to market further comprise instructions to: determine
whether the subscriber has a position at the other side of the
market that can result in an offset of the position and the
position at the other side of the market.
19. The computer program product of claim 12 wherein instructions
to mark to market further comprise instructions to: liquidate the
trade with any resulting credit or debit identified as a realized
gain or loss in the subscriber's trading account.
20. A system for clearing transactions on an electronic exchange,
comprises: a computer system that is fed information regarding
trades for traders on behalf of subscribers, current prices for
products traded on the exchange, information regarding margin
available in a trading account and margin requirements for a
contract genus; a process that executes on the compute system,
comprising: a computer program product residing on a computer
readable medium for clearing transactions on the electronic
exchange comprising instructions for causing the computer to:
perform a full settlement run after cessation of trading;
automatically mark-to-market all open positions; and determine
margin requirements for market participants.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] This invention relates to trading systems.
[0002] A traditional futures exchange is a membership structure
that allows trading only through members. Traditional markets have
customers, members and clear members. The financial backing of a
traditional exchange is also through members. Members provide
capital and when a trade is completed a clearing member will back
the trade. Some exchanges only allow their clearing members to
trade. Other exchanges allow any person to trade as long as a
clearing member backs the person. That is, a clear member can have
customers that have accounts with the clear member. The customer
uses the credit of the clear member to trade and the customer does
not have direct access to the market.
SUMMARY
[0003] According to an aspect of the present invention, a method of
clearing transactions on an electronic exchange includes performing
a full settlement run after cessation of trading, automatically
marking-to-market all open positions and determining margin
requirements.
[0004] According to an additional aspect of the present invention,
a computer program product residing on a computer readable medium
for clearing transactions on an electronic exchange includes
instructions for causing a computer to perform a full settlement
run after cessation of trading, automatically mark-to-market all
open positions and determine margin requirements for market
participants.
[0005] According to an additional aspect of the present invention,
a system for clearing transactions on an electronic exchange,
includes a computer system that is fed information regarding
trades, current prices for products traded on the exchange,
information regarding margin available in a trading account and
margin requirements for a contract genus. The system also includes
a process that executes on the compute system, including a computer
program product residing on a computer readable medium for clearing
transactions on the electronic exchange. The product comprising
instructions for causing the computer to perform a full settlement
run after cessation of trading, automatically mark-to-market all
open positions, and determine margin requirements for market
participants.
[0006] One or more of the following advantages may be provided by
one or more aspects of the invention.
[0007] Aspects of the invention are directed to clearing
transactions in electronic markets that trade contracts to buy and
sell goods. The clearing system minimizes the incidence of
credit-induced financial losses, contains losses once they are
identified, and ensures continuous market function and financial
integrity. The system minimizes the likelihood that a particular
participant will fail to meet its obligations to the exchange.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic-based futures
exchange.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a diagram depicting a system architecture for the
market of FIG. 1
[0010] FIG. 3 is a diagram depicting a data structure for a trading
account.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a flow chart depicting an account process
flow.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a diagram depicting relationship between contract
species and a contract genus.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a contract authoring process.
[0014] FIGS. 7A-7D are diagrams of graphical user
interfaces/screens used in the system of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an order matching process.
[0016] FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a multi-species order matching
process.
[0017] FIG. 9A is a flow chart of a multi-species order offset
process.
[0018] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of details of a risk management
system.
[0019] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of details of a clearing
system.
[0020] FIG. 12 is a flow chart of an asset-based margin
protocol.
[0021] FIG. 13 is a flow chart of a liquidation process for
defaults.
[0022] FIGS. 14-16, 17A, 17B are flow charts of exemplary processes
used in the market.
[0023] FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing an example of a liquidation
process for defaults.
[0024] FIG. 19 is a block diagram that depicts an exemplary system
architecture including a layered set of network and
application-level systems.
DESCRIPTION
[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic market 10 or exchange
that trade contracts to buy and sell goods is shown. One example of
the market is embodied as an electronic futures market. However, in
addition to traditional futures type trading in commodity futures
trading in contract of other products, instruments and services is
possible.
[0026] The electronic futures market or exchange 10 has three
defined relationships between market participants and the exchange
10. The relationships are represented as market participants that
include a subscriber 12, guarantor 14, and trader 16. The market
participants interact through a system 11. All three types of
market participants have contractual relationships with the
exchange 10 and are screened by an accrediting agency, e.g., the
National Futures Association (NFA) for a US-based exchange (or
equivalent) for disciplinary and financial soundness. Subscribers
12 identify one or more guarantors 14 who provide access to
financial resources used for margin. Subscribers also identify one
or more traders 16 who are eligible to enter orders for the
subscriber's benefit. In some instances the subscriber 12,
guarantor 14, and/or trader 16 may be the same entity.
[0027] The system 11 will be described in more detail below.
Suffice it here to say that the system 11 includes computer systems
22 and storage devices 24 that store trading accounts 18 and the
processes 25 used to implement the electronic futures exchange 10.
The system 11 is accessed by the participants using the Internet or
other protocols, as will be described below.
[0028] A subscriber 12 is the economic beneficiary of the trading
that occurs on its behalf. Subscribers 12 may be natural persons or
other legal entities. All subscribers 12 are subject to the
provisions of an exchange subscriber agreement. Subscribers 12
identify assets acceptable to the exchange 10 that can be used for
margin to support positions. The exchange 10 maintains at least one
trading account 18 for each subscriber. The trading account 18
identifies the subscriber's positions and the assets used to
support the positions. Subscribers 12 may have multiple trading
accounts for multiple guarantors (not shown). Examples of
subscribers 12 might include a customer of a futures commodities
market (FCM), a corporation or financial institution, or a
commodity pool. Positions held by a subscriber are associated with
the exchange subscriber trading account 18. Each subscriber trading
account 18 will also identify assets that provide margin for the
positions held in that account. Positions are determined by product
species that a trader 16 can trade on.
[0029] The second entity in the exchange 10 is a guarantor. A
guarantor maintains the assets of the subscriber and makes those
assets available to exchange 10. Guarantors 14 are credit-worthy
entities. All guarantors 14 are subject to provisions of an
exchange guarantor Agreement. The guarantor 14 gives the exchange
10 control over the assets in a subscriber's trading account 18. In
particular, exchange 10 has the right to satisfy all margin
obligations by contacting the guarantor and demanding payment.
Failure of the guarantor 14 to provide timely payment would
constitute a default on the part of the subscriber. Guarantors 14
can restrict the markets traded by a subscriber. Examples of a
guarantor might include an FCM, bank, credit card facility, other
financial institution, or a large corporation. In some instances
the guarantor may be a subscriber.
[0030] A subscriber can maintain the trading account 18 and assets
at a registered FCM, where the subscriber's funds will be
segregated in accordance with CFTC requirements. In this case, the
FCM will be considered the guarantor of its subscriber's trading
account 18. A subscriber's trading account 18 can be guaranteed by
a third-party, credit worthy institution, including a bank, broker
dealer, or corporate entity. The guarantee relationship can be
documented by a letter of credit or comparable agreement that
allows the exchange 10 to have recourse against the guarantor in
the event that the subscriber fails to perform its financial
responsibilities, including initial margin and variation margin
obligations up to a specified limit.
[0031] A self-guaranteeing subscriber is a corporation or other
entity that has sufficient credit worthiness to bear the financial
obligations of trading without requiring a third party's guarantee.
The exchange 10 or other entity performs financial surveillance of
self-guaranteeing subscribers 12 in order to maintain a high level
of confidence and to deter abuse. A class of self-guaranteeing
subscriber is the fully paid long subscriber. This subscriber
deposits assets equal to the full-face amount of its futures
positions at an exchange depository. This form of self-guarantee is
available for long market positions.
[0032] A third entity in the market is the trader 16. A trader 16
enters orders on behalf of a subscriber 12. Traders 16 are natural
persons. Depending on the subscriber/guarantor relationship, either
the subscriber or its guarantor authorizes a trader 16 to enter
orders for a subscriber's trading account 18. Without such
authorization, a trader 16 cannot enter orders in the exchange 10.
Examples of traders 16 might include the subscriber, a commodity
trading advisor, an FCM order-entry clerk, or an employee of the
subscriber. Several subscribers 12 may authorize the same trader 16
(e.g., a commodity trading advisor). Also, several traders 16 may
be authorized for the same subscriber (e.g., employees of a
corporation). Each category of trader 16 will be identified so that
exchange 10 and/or the National Futures Association can perform
trade practice surveillance 19. Traders will have account access
privileges, a trading profile, and trading limits 17 that are
reflected in the trading account 18.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 2, the exchange 10 uses the market
structure 10 described above in an Internet-based on-line trading
system 11 having real-time clearing 30 and risk management 32
functions. Because all three types of market participants are known
to the exchange 10, risk management 32, compliance and functions,
34 of the exchange 10 can be applied to any or all of the
participant types.
[0034] The exchange 10 includes a trading system 40 that is
accessible through secure sessions using Internet protocols.
Traders 16 securely access the exchange 10 via web browsers on
client systems (not shown). Additionally, non-browser user
interface clients (not shown) capable of communicating with the
exchange trading system 60 may be used. Generally, subscribers 12
and guarantors 14 will not have access to the trading system 40 for
trading purposes. However, for risk management purposes,
subscribers 12 and guarantors 14 may authorize system access to
individuals in their control with supervisory responsibilities.
[0035] The exchange 10 can permit a single trader 16 to have
several sessions open at the same time. Once logged on, a trader 16
may enter orders for any trading account 18 for which the trader 16
has permission to trade. In addition to any contract genus trading
restrictions imposed on the trading account 18 by the subscriber or
guarantor, additional trader-level limits may be preset, including
restrictions on the maximum net long, net short, or quantity per
order. These restrictions are supplemental to other risk management
limitations imposed by the exchange risk management system 32
discussed below.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 3, a data structure 18' that represents a
trading account 18 which is an internal exchange account is shown.
The data structure 18' representing the trading account 18 is
stored on a computer readable medium that is accessible by the
processes in FIG. 2, as will be described below. A trading account
18 has fields 18a, 18b used to identify both positions and assets
for a subscriber. Each trading account 18 also has fields 18c, 18d
to associate the account 18 with a particular subscriber and
guarantor, respectively. All trading activity for a subscriber
flows through a trading account 18. The risk management system 32
verifies that sufficient assets are associated with the account to
meet margin requirements for each new position. Assets are
associated with a trading account 18 and are used to meet margin
requirements for a subscriber's positions. Assets may be limited to
support specific exchange 10 product genera or delivery
commitments. Thus, the trading account 18 can include fields 18e
that represent constraints on the assets, e.g., dedicated to
particular produced genera or delivery commitments. Examples of
assets include cash or cash equivalents on deposit with exchange
10, a segregated account held at an FCM, a letter of credit, or
other financial institution guarantee. The trading account 18 can
include constraint fields 18f to identify the product genera that
the trader 16 is authorized to trade.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 4, an account process flow 80 is shown. A
subscriber submits 82 an application to the exchange 10. The
subscriber identifies 84 a guarantor and the assets to be held by
that guarantor. The exchange 10 and/or a regulatory body, e.g., the
NFA, reviews 85 the application. If accepted, the exchange 10
establishes 86 a trading account 18 (FIG. 3) for the subscriber.
The guarantor enters 88 into an agreement with the exchange 10 that
gives the exchange 10 control over the asset(s). The subscriber or
guarantor authorizes 90 a trader 16 to enter orders for the
subscriber and trading begins.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 5, contracts 110 for trading on the
exchange 10 are shown. Contract markets available to subscribers 12
and their traders 16 are described by a contract genus 100. The
contract genus 100 identifies a particular commodity or market type
(e.g., contracts on corn, cotton, or natural gas, benzene, and so
forth). The contract genus includes global parameters 102 that are
applicable to all contracts derived from the contract genus. Thus,
a properly specified contract genus encapsulates information
necessary to operate risk management, market surveillance, trading,
clearing, and delivery functions of the exchange 10. A contract
genus definition 102 includes all parameters that are universally
applicable to a contract (e.g., delivery method, underlying
currency, price limits, speculative position limits, speculative
margin rates and so forth).
[0039] Each contract genus also includes one or more contract
species 110a-110n. The contract species 110a-110n are the actual
contracts traded. Contract species have global parameters 102
inherited from the contract genus 100 as well as additional
parameters 112a-112h that are specific to the species. The contract
species 110a-110n define distinct positions in the subscriber's
trading account 18. Species parameters 112 define various contract
species that can be traded (e.g., contract month, degree-day
base-city).
[0040] Some global parameters are inherited by each contract
species but can be changed for each species individually. Examples
of customized global parameters 104 include price limits,
speculative position limits, speculative margin rates and so
forth.
[0041] For example, exchange 10 can list a benzene futures genus.
The exchange can define genus and species parameters to provide a
market for the genus. To produce a contract for benzene, the
exchange 10 provides three species parameters whose values are
specified at order entry time (see TABLE 1 below):
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 PRODUCT GENUS: BENZENE* Type Parameter
Possible Values Default Value Applies universally Delivery Method
Physical N/A to all contract species Base Currency USD N/A Exchange
can define Position Limit 5,000,000 gals 5,000,000 gals separately
for each contract species Daily Price Limit $0.20 per gal $0.20 per
gal Trader Selectable Grade astm 2359 astm 2359 Trader selects at
astm 2359 It order entry time to astm 4734 define particular astm
zero d contract to be traded Delivery Location Houston Houston
Corpus Christi Delivery Month June 2000 July 2000 July 2000 August
2000
[0042] Contract Species permit listing of multi-parameter flexible
contracts that can reflect particularized requirements of each
market and market constituency. The exchange 10 includes a matching
and clearing engine (described below) that permits matching of
numerous types of orders across species to mitigate any reduced
liquidity that comes from greater contract customization.
Multi-parameter contracts can provide benefits including reduced
basis risk, increased hedge efficiency, price discovery, and risk
management even in low-volume markets.
[0043] Permission to trade a particular contract genus is enforced
by the exchange risk management system 32. As mentioned, a
guarantor 14 can restrict a particular subscriber 12 to trade only
select contract genera, and subscribers 12 may further restrict
contract genera available to traders 16.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 6, a contract authoring process 120
produces contract species from a contract genus. The contract
authoring process 120 is used to produce new contracts that can be
traded. A user decides on 122 a product genus and decides on 124
the listing rules for the product genus. The user decides 126 on
species parameters that are associated with the product genus. The
process 120 can use a wizard technique, e.g., a series of dialog
boxes or windows with controls to specify and select parameters.
After a contract genus 122 has been defined, the particular items
necessary to enable the trading of various contract species are
enumerated. For example, the `contract month` parameter might be
enumerated as (June 2000, September 2000, December 2000, and March
2001), while the `degree day base city` parameter is enumerated as
(Atlanta, Chicago, New York). Species parameters for a product are
given in Table 1. Orders can be entered for any of the above
species.
[0045] In one embodiment the contract authoring process 120 is used
by the exchange 10 to produce contact genera and associated
species. Alternatively, certain business-to-business exchanges can
use the contract authoring process 120 to author their own
contracts within the parameters of the exchange and any government
regulation. One advantage is that the business-to-business
exchanges might possess better knowledge concerning trading
practices involved in the trading particular products in the
business-to-business exchange. This level of customization can make
the contracts more tradable and desirable than an exchange employee
authoring all the contracts.
[0046] Referring to FIGS. 7A-7D, user interface screens, e.g., web
pages are shown. FIG. 7A shows a user interface 140 to enter new
orders into the system 10 is shown. The user interface 140 is
implemented as a HTML or equivalent web page and includes fields
for specifying an order type 142, i.e., buy or sell as well as
order terms 144 such as delivery, location, quantity, price,
product, product species, delivery month, freight terms and units.
The price can be specified in a number of ways such as a value,
e.g., number; a contract (market price) or a contract market price
plus or minus a value, e.g., a relative price. In addition, there
is a comment field that can be used to enter restrictions or
qualifiers on the order. The system can also generate an order
confirmation page as shown in FIG. 7B. Other screens include a web
page that depicts the order book for a product, (FIG. 7C) as well
as a page that depicts product specifications (FIG. 7D).
[0047] Referring to FIG. 8, the exchange 10 includes a matching
engine 150 that works with the order types and qualifiers, as shown
in TABLE 2 below. The matching engine 150 receives 152 an order and
attempts to match 154 the received order with orders on the
opposite side of the market that are queued within an order book
155 in the system in accordance with a priority as set forth below.
If the system can form a match 156, the match is returned 158.
Otherwise, if the system cannot form a match, the system determines
160 whether there are more potentially matchable orders on the
opposite side of the market that can be matched to the received
order. If there are additional orders, the process will fetch 162
the next order. Otherwise, the process will store 164 the order in
the order book in a priority, as specified below.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 ORDER TYPES AND QUALIFIERS Qualifier Types
Description Market BUY Indicates the intention to initiate a
purchase or offset a short position. Direction SELL Indicates the
intention to initiate a sale or offset a long position. Quantity
Value Indicates the quantity to purchase or sell. Subject to other
qualifiers, any unsatisfied quantity remains in the order book to
be matched by an opposing order. Price LIMIT Limits the order to be
filled at a given price or better. MARKET Quantity to be filled
should be filled at any available price. If sufficient opposing
quantity is available in the order book at time of entry, the order
is filled on the available quantity with any balance CANCELLED.
Trigger Not System immediately attempts to find an opposing order
which satisfies the order Action Specified specification. STOP
Systems delays finding an opposing order until the market trades at
the activation price. Requires both a LIMIT parameter and
activation price parameter. Duration Not Order is retained until
the end of day as defined for the contract genus. Specified FILL or
Order is not retained in the order book. KILL GOOD Order is
retained until the time indicated. UNTIL GTC Order is retained
until its full quantity is filled. Status Not Order is active in
the order book. Specified FILLED Order has been satisfied. CANCEL
Order is removed from the order book SYSTEM The order remains in
the order book, but cannot be matched pending further system HOLD
action. Used typically for risk management purposes. Special HIT OR
Immediately enters an order to purchase (TAKE) or sell (HIT) all
the quantity Qualifiers TAKE presented as the best-available price.
The order is CANCELLED for all unsatisfied quantity if the previous
bid or offer price is no longer available at execution time. ALL or
If insufficient opposing quantity is available in the order book at
time of entry, the NONE order is immediately CANCELLED by the
system. ONE Links several orders together so that the partial or
complete satisfaction of any CANCELS order immediately CANCELS the
linked orders. OTHER
[0048] Referring now to FIG. 9, the matching process 154 determines
154a whether the received order and an order are at the opposite
side of the market fetched from the order book have the same level
of specificity. If the orders have the same level of specificity
154b, the orders are passed to a conventional matching process 154c
to match the order in accordance with price time priority as would
be currently performed on a typical futures market exchange.
However, if the process 154 determines 154a that the received order
is more generic than the order from the order book 154d, and
further determines 154e that the received order is enabled for more
specific matching, then the received order will be sent to the
matching process 154c to match positions with the order from the
order book. If orders match 154f, the positions are recorded in
each trading account 18 with the degree of specificity on the order
that was in the order book and the match is returned 154g. If the
orders do not match, the received order will be tested 154f against
other orders in the order book as above. If the orders in the order
book do not match the received order, the received order will be
placed in the order book, as described above, in accordance with
time price priority considerations described below.
[0049] If the process determines 154a that the received order is
more specific (e.g., the order book order is more generic) than the
queued order in the order book, the process will determine 154h
whether the queued order is enabled 154i for more specific
matching. If the queued order is enabled for more specific matching
the orders are sent to the matching engine 154c. If there is a
match, the positions are recorded in each trading account 18
associated with the orders, with the degree of specificity as set
forth on the received order. Otherwise, if there are no orders that
match the received order, the received order is placed in the order
book.
[0050] Each contract genus can use either a price-time or pro-rata
order-matching algorithm to find matching, offsetting orders.
Trades are executed at the best available price. If there are
multiple orders at the same price, the earlier-posted order has
priority. Orders are entered into a contract genus order book. If
the order contains all the elements necessary to completely define
a contract species then it is a candidate for matching with an
offsetting order at the other side of the market. For example, a
trader 16 can place an order for benzene futures as specified in
the example in above. If the trader 16 places the order to include
all of the Grade (e.g., astm 2359), Delivery Location (e.g.,
Houston), and Delivery Month (e.g., July 2000) parameters it would
be considered fully specified. Such an order could be matched
against an offsetting order that referred to the same set of fully
specified parameters. Orders matched in this manner are analogous
to the procedures used in conventional futures order matching.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 MULTI-SPECIES ORDER MATCHING RULES
Activating Resting Order is: Order is: Resulting Match and System
Behavior Same Same The orders are matched. Each position is
Specificity Specificity recorded in each trading account 18 with
the degree of specificity on both orders. More More Specific If the
activating order is more generic and Generic enabled for `more
specific matching`, then orders are matched and positions recorded
in each trading account 18 with the degree of specificity on the
resting order: otherwise activating orders are placed in the order
book. More More Generic If the resting order more generic and
enabled Specific for `more specific matching`, the orders are
matched and positions recorded in each trading account 18 with the
degree of specificity on the activating order; otherwise activating
orders are placed in the order book.
[0051] In addition to single contract species matching, the
matching algorithm supports matching orders across contract
species. Multi-species order matching rules are shown in TABLE 3.
Such an order can be entered into the contract genus order book,
without all the elements necessary to completely define a contract
species. Again, consider that a trader 16 can place an order for
Benzene as specified above. If the trader 16 places the order to
include the Grade (e.g., astm 2359) and Delivery Month (e.g., July
2000) parameters, but indicates the Delivery Location as ANY, it
would NOT be considered fully specified. This order could be
matched against an offsetting order that also contained ANY as the
Delivery location parameter.
[0052] The exchange 10 allows a trader 16 to specify that an order
be matched against more specific orders. In the example considered
here, either the Houston or Corpus Christi delivery points, if
specified on the contra-order, could be deemed acceptable matches.
Multiple and cross contract species matching impacts position
offset rules. If a trading account 18 has both specified and
unspecified positions in it, position offset will depend on whether
the long or short is more highly specified, and whether the long or
short determines actual delivery terms.
[0053] Referring now to FIG. 9A, a position offsetting process 180
is shown. In this example, the process 18 assumes that the short
interests sets unspecified contract terms at the time of contract
delivery. The position offsetting process 180 is used to offset
positions from a common trader 16 or a common subscriber in a
common market. The position offsetting process 180 determines 182
whether the subscriber has a long position and a short position in
the market. The process also determines 184 the relative
specificity of the positions. If a long position in a market has
the same specificity 186 as a short position in the market, and if
so, the positions are set 186 to offset and the offsetting
positions are recorded 188 in the trading account 18 of the trader
16. If the long position is more generic than the short position
190, the positions will not offset since the exchange cannot
determine that the remaining positions will result in a correct
match between short and long positions at delivery time. However,
if the long position is more specific 192 than the short position,
the positions will offset upon trader instruction 194 since the
exchange 10 can be certain that the remaining positions will result
in a correct match between short and long positions at delivery
time. TABLE 4 shows offset rules.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 MULTI-SPECIES POSITION OFFSET RULES* Long
Position Short is: Position is: Resulting Offset Same Same
Positions offset. Specificity Specificity More More No offset.
Exchange 10 cannot be certain that Generic Specific the remaining
positions will result in a correct match between short and long at
delivery time. More More Positions offset upon trader instruction.
Specific Generic Exchange 10 can be certain that the remaining
positions will result in a correct match between short and long at
delivery time.
[0054] The Exchange 10 can permit certain trades to be matched away
from the exchange 10 order book. In particular EFPs, Block Trades,
and other adjustments can be posted to the exchange clearing system
without passing through the exchange's matching engine. Exchange of
futures for physicals (EFPs) and block trades are particular trades
that can be done outside of the trade matching system, but which
are entered into the trading system after they take place. Both
parties to the trade report an EFP or block trade to the exchange
10 so that open interest and position information can be updated
accordingly. The exchange 10 verifies that sufficient assets are
available in each subscriber's trading account 18 before allowing
the trade to be cleared.
[0055] An ex-pit is a notification of a change to an already
cleared trade. Changes may include the subscriber to whom the trade
was attributed; the price at which the trade was executed; or the
quantity traded. Both sides of the original trade need to agree to
price and quantity changes. EFPs, ex-pits and block trades are
recorded as special trade types. Ex-pits transactions generally are
not broadcast to the entire market. The exchange compliance system
monitors these trades to ensure that they comply with exchange
rules.
[0056] Confirmation messages are generated upon order entry and
execution. The Exchange 10 can electronically deliver messages via,
E-mail, fax, beeper, personal assistant, etc. The messages are sent
to the executing trader 16 and to the subscriber for whom the order
was placed. Messages may be sent to the guarantor or others upon
request.
[0057] Orders may be modified prior to being matched. If an order
is modified, it loses its position in the order book unless the
modification is to lower the order quantity. Orders may be canceled
for any unsatisfied portion before being matched. In certain risk
management circumstances, exchange 10 can suspend an order by
indicating the order as System Held. Suspended orders remain in the
order book, but they are not available for matching. If a held
order is reactivated, it retains its original time priority.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 10, the exchange 10 includes a risk
management system 32 to minimize the incidence of credit-induced
financial losses, contain losses once they are identified, and
ensure continuous market function and financial integrity. The risk
management system 32 minimizes the likelihood that a particular
subscriber will fail to meet its obligations to the exchange 10.
The risk management system 32 includes a system-enforced position
and trading limits process 220 that covers all traders 16 acting on
behalf of a subscriber. These limits can be set by the subscriber,
the guarantor, or by the exchange 10. The integrated risk
management also includes system-enforced position and trading
limits process 222 that covers all subscribers 12 and may be
triggered by monetary deficiencies, 222a positions at or above the
limits set for that entity, 222b or other conditions 222c. In
addition, the risk management system includes a real time or
near-real-time credit checking process 224 that checks subscriber
positions and available assets. The credit checking process 224
verifies credit, positions and available assets at order entry,
upon significant market movements, and at the end of every trading
day.
[0059] The exchange 10 measures risk in a number of ways.
Thresholds for various risk parameters are set 226 for each trader
16 and each subscriber. There are default thresholds that may be
changed for each and every entity at the discretion of the exchange
10. Thresholds include total positions, net positions, total dollar
holdings, market concentrations, and asset value changes. Risk
fluctuates several ways for a given trading account. For example,
positions held in the account may change in value, the assets held
in the account may change in value, and the exchange 10 may
increase margin rates, which will require additional funds to be
deposited.
[0060] To minimize large fluctuations in parameters, and thus large
movements in risk, the exchange 10 measures each of these
conditions independently at regular intervals (e.g., daily, hourly,
upon limit price move, etc.). The risk system 32 revalues 228
assets on account, marks-to-market the positions 230 in each
trading account, determines 232 the profit and loss of current
trading, and recalculates 234 the margin requirement of the
subscriber's portfolio. A comparison 236 is made of the asset value
in the account versus the required margin, and, when a deficiency
occurs 238, the exchange 10 requires additional assets of the
subscribers 12. To limit the losses that arise from the inability
of a subscriber to perform (e.g., pay for trades, cover margin
deficiencies, or delivery default), exchange 10 can establish an
initial margin, e.g., at least twice the daily limit move permitted
for each contract species.
[0061] Asset valuation also includes a capital charge process 236
that reflects both the cost of liquidating the asset, and the
possible value changes such assets may incur before they can be
sold. When a deficiency is noted in an account (i.e., required
margin exceeds asset value), the subscriber will be asked to
increase the asset value in the account.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 11, the exchange 10 clears and settles
every transaction and serves as the counterpart to every trade. The
exchange clearing and settlement system 30 is a fully integrated
processing engine for exchange clearing and settlement functions.
The exchange 10 uses different margin protocols 32a. For example, a
conventional cash-based margin protocol can be used. The exchange
10 can also use an Asset-based protocol, as discussed below. The
protocol used is determined by the contract genus. The Asset-based
Margin Protocol (AMP) replaces daily pays and collects of margin
that occurs with the cash-based protocol, with asset verification
at the subscriber and guarantor levels. The Asset-based Margin
Protocol can reduce the costs of participating in futures markets
without compromising risk management.
[0063] The clearing system 30 includes a settlement engine 30b that
performs a full settlement run 250 daily, after cessation of
trading. The clearing system 30 also includes an engine 30c to
determine positions of all subscribers on a periodic basis as well
as those of subscribers during trade clearing. The clearing
function also includes an asset valuation/deposit engine 30d that
updates asset values in relation current market conditions for use
with margin requirements and manages deposit and withdrawals of
assets.
[0064] Exchange clearing and settlement systems 30 provide
constant, real-time gross and net financial data. The exchange 10
system automatically marks-to-market all open positions. The
clearing system 30 determines margin. With a cash margin protocol,
at the end of every day, the system sends to subscribers 12, their
depository or guaranteeing banks, as the case may be, and/or to
their FCMs their debits and/or credits, and the resulting balances
in, each subscriber's account. In the CMP, position information is
disseminated and each subscriber or its guarantor will make or
receive daily pays or collects. These transfers will take place
through the exchange depository bank. In the AMP, position
information will be disseminated, but no daily pays or collects
will take place so long as sufficient assets are already
identified. Subscribers 12 or their guarantor will be required to
make payment or provide evidence of additional assets when a
subscriber needs to meet new margin obligations.
[0065] As soon as any portion of an order is filled, the position
for that subscriber is posted to the trading account 18 indicated
by the trader 16 on the order. When the contract species can result
in an offset, the trade is liquidated with any resulting credit or
debit identified as a realized gain or loss in the subscriber's
trading account. In addition to trade posting, positions may be
altered by making or taking delivery of the underlying product,
accepting cash delivery for the position, or executing an
exchange-for-physical against the position. These alterations will
trigger position adjustments and are treated by the clearing system
30 as though the trades were matched through the exchange matching
engine.
[0066] Assets may be placed in or released from a subscriber's
trading account 18 at any time provide that a release will not
bring assets below a required margin amount. Assets will be
recorded in face amounts (when appropriate), and in equivalent
value to reflect the capital charge applied to each asset. An asset
inventory will be maintained for each trading account. Assets may
be limited to covering a single contract genus or a specific
delivery commitment, or may be applied across multiple products.
When determining a subscriber's excess or deficiency, more
restricted assets will be applied first against their allowable
contract genus, and then less restricted assets will be
applied.
[0067] An initial margin can be set at a minimum of two times the
daily price limit move for each contract species held in a
subscriber's trading account 18. A variation margin will be
calculated at least daily and applied to the subscriber's trading
account. For contract genera that employ the Asset-based Margin
Protocol, the margin maintenance is set at 100% of the initial
margin rate as sufficient assets must always be available. Contract
genera that employ the CMP will have maintenance margin levels set
at 75% of initial margin rates.
[0068] Referring to FIG. 12, an asset-based margin protocol process
300 is shown. A trader 16 takes 302 a position in a contact. If the
contract genus is defined as clearing through the asset-based
margin protocol 304, any profits that accrue while the position is
still open are posted as assets in the trading account 18 as an
unrealized gain. The unrealized gain can be used to trade with. The
profit is obtained when the position is closed out, or at contract
termination. As long as the contract position is open, the trading
account 18 is debited with losses or credited with gains 308. The
asset-based margin protocol differs from the typical futures
market, which uses a cash-based margin protocol. In a cash-based
margin protocol money moves from account to account among financial
institutions.
[0069] At any time during the day or at least twice a day, there is
a mark to market done 310 against a position. With an asset-based
protocol the subscriber determines 312 if there is an unrealized
gain or a loss. With asset-based margin protocol, the system does
not make routine daily pays and collects. Rather, the system
accrues 316 net unrealized losses against a subscriber's assets or
credits unrealized gains 316. The exchange 10 can make on-demand
requests for cash payment of either or both initial margin and
unrealized losses (i.e., accrued variation margin) against the
subscriber's assets at any time. The system will also make demand
payments for realized losses at time of position offset, and permit
a subscriber to use net unrealized gains to reduce or withdraw
other assets in the trading account. The system will make payments
for realized gains at time of position offset, but such payments
are only guaranteed at time of contract expiration.
[0070] For example, XYZ Corp., a mid-size corporation, wishes to
hedge using exchange 10 benzene futures. The company has secured a
letter of credit ("LC") from its bank for the benefit of exchange
10 that entitles XYZ to maintain a position of up to $100,000 in
benzene futures. At an initial margin rate of $0.40 per gallon,
this credit amount translates to a maximum initial position of
250,000 gallons. The trader 16 for XYZ Corp. purchases futures on
100,000 gallons of benzene at a price of $2.00 per gallon. Exchange
10 notes in XYZ's trading account 18 that $40,000 from XYZ's letter
of credit is allocated to initial margin. With the asset-based
margin protocol, exchange 10 does not draw upon the letter of
credit. Subsequently, the trader 16 exits the position at $1.90.
Exchange 10 advises XYZ that the unrealized loss of $10,000 is due
and payable and notes in the XYZ trading account 18 that $30,000 of
the letter of credit is again available. Upon receipt of $10,000,
the full value of the LC is available to XYZ Corp.
[0071] ABC Corp., another mid-size corporation, also wishes to
hedge using exchange 10 benzene futures. The company has deposited
$50,000 cash with exchange 10. At an initial margin rate of $0.40
per gallon, this translates to a maximum initial position of
125,000 gallons. The trader 16 for ABC Corp. purchases futures on
125,000 gallons of benzene at a price of $1.50 per gallon. Exchange
10 notes in ABC's trading account 18 that $40,000 is allocated to
initial margin. Subsequently, the market rises to $1.70. ABC's
unrealized gain now equals $20,000. Exchange 10 will advise ABC
that it may now withdraw up to $20,000 from the ABC trading
account, which is equal to the $20,000 unrealized gain now in that
account.
[0072] AMP differs from the Cash-based Margin Protocol (CMP) in
that daily pays and collects of margin differences are not made.
Instead, subscriber assets provided through the subscriber's
guarantor are made available to the exchange 10 on demand. All
other components of the exchange 10, e.g., risk management system
and clearing systems are identical for both margin protocols. The
exchange 10 provides direct access to subscribers 12. The
Asset-based Margin Protocol (AMP) eliminates cumbersome daily pay
and collect procedures that would occur in a cash-based margin
protocol.
[0073] Exchange 10 performs an end of day settlement run for each
contract market. Positions are marked to market, trading profit and
loss are computed, and total profit and loss amounts are determined
for each trading account. These amounts are added to (in the case
of profits), or subtracted from (in the case of losses), the asset
value in the trading account 18. This process will precede margin
calculations so that the true asset value, including accumulated
profit and loss, can be used to compare against requirements to
establish an excess/deficit indication.
[0074] At any time during the day, a profit-and-loss computation
can be performed. It can be applied to an individual contract
genus, to all contract genera, or just selected subscribers 12.
Similarly, it can be applied to any or all trading accounts.
Anytime a settlement is performed the trading accounts are updated
with the results and the system marks the event. Subsequent
settlements are performed by marking to market from the previous
mark to the present. When a trade is made, if it is on the same
side of the market as an existing position in the trading account,
or if there was no pre-existing position, it considered new
business and open interest increases by the trade quantity. If in
the trading account 18 position already exists on the opposite side
of the market, the position is reduced. If the trade quantity is
larger than the existing position, the position will switch sides
of the market with the resulting position equal to the difference
between the originally existing position and the trade quantity. At
the close of trading on the last trading day, a full pay/collect
will be performed for all open positions in the expiring contract.
All open accounts will be closed and balances will be transferred
through the exchange 10 to the bank accounts of the
subscribers.
[0075] Any trading account 18 having a position at the termination
of trading for a contract species will be required to make (if
short) or accept (if long) delivery. All positions require that
delivery margin requirements are met by the assets in the trading
account 18. The pay and collect process will be performed for both
cash delivered and physically delivered products (see contract
termination). For physically delivered products, sellers
(deliverers) and buyers (receivers) are matched using algorithms
specific to the contract genus. The following functions are
recorded by the exchange 10.
[0076] The receiver indicates that money has been sent. The
deliverer indicates that the good have been sent. The deliverer
indicates that the money has been received. The receiver indicates
that the good have been received and are in proper order. When
these four items have been completed, the system marks the
positions as delivered, and releases the delivery margin.
Defaults
[0077] The system 11 handles defaults by a member, e.g.,
subscriber. Any of the following events can result in a default by
a subscriber 12. For example, a subscriber 12 can fail to meet any
of its obligations under its Contracts with the exchange. Such
defaults occur when a subscriber 12 holds a short contract position
and does not tender a delivery notice or holds a long contract
position and does not accept delivery or does not make full payment
when due. These are examples of monetary defaults. Other monetary
defaults include failing to meet minimum margin obligations and so
forth. Other types of default events include commencing a voluntary
or a joint case in bankruptcy or filing a voluntary petition or an
answer seeking liquidation, appointment of a custodian, liquidator,
conservator, receiver or trustee, making an assignment for the
benefit of creditors or becoming or admitting that it is insolvent.
In addition, an involuntary case of bankruptcy or an involuntary
petition would be a defaulting event.
[0078] To secure the exchange and its other participating
subscribers 12 from financial exposure, the defaulting subscriber
12 is automatically suspended. The suspension may be temporarily
postponed by an official of the exchange, e.g., the President, if
the official determines that such suspension would not be in the
best interests of the exchange.
[0079] Referring to FIG. 13, the system 11 includes a liquidation
process 340 to close out a position upon termination or suspension
of a subscriber 12. When an entity ceases to be a subscriber 12 or
is suspended all open contracts carried in the system for
subscriber 12 are liquidated, as set forth below. The liquidation
process 340 occurs as expeditiously as practicable. There are
situations where the default process need not be used since the
protection of the exchange does not require the implementation of
the default process 340. For example if open contracts are
transferred to and accepted by one or more other subscribers 12,
with the consent of the exchange or the official determines that
the protection of the financial integrity of the exchange does not
require such a liquidation; or such liquidation is delayed because
of the cessation or curtailment of trading on the exchange for such
contracts.
[0080] The liquidation process 340 determines 342 if it is
necessary to liquidate any open Contracts of a subscriber. If
necessary, the exchange proceeds to liquidate the positions of the
defaulting subscriber. If the exchange is unable for any reason to
liquidate the open contracts in a prompt and orderly fashion, the
official of the exchange may authorize 344 the executions from time
to time for the account of the exchange, solely for the purpose of
reducing the risk to the exchange resulting from the continued
maintenance of such open contracts. The official can hedge
transactions, including, without limitation, the purchase, grant,
exercise or sale of contracts The defaulting subscriber remains
liable to the exchange for any commissions or other expenses
incurred in liquidating such contracts. The open contracts are
liquidated by placing 346 orders for the purchase, grant, exercise,
or sale of contracts within the trading system 11, subject to the
rules of the market for the contract.
[0081] The liquidation process 340 includes other techniques to
close out the positions of the defaulting subscriber. The
liquidation process 340 can place 348 spread orders for any
combination of contracts other than the liquidation contract within
the trading system 11 and subject to the rules of the respective
contract markets, conduct 350 a uniform second price sealed auction
to liquidate open contracts. The liquidation process can offset 352
such contracts against the opposite side open interest on a last-in
first-out basis at a price equal to the settlement price on the day
such liquidation is ordered or at such other price as the Board may
establish. This offset effects mutualization of risk among market
participants in this manner allows for orderly disposition of the
defaulting subscriber's positions and allows the exchange to
operate with minimal capital reserves for handling defaults.
[0082] If an order for relief has been entered with respect to the
defaulting person, the exchange will not effect any such
liquidation by book entry except as may be permitted by
governmental regulations. Any liquidation may be effected without
placing orders for execution into the trading system 11, by making
appropriate book entries on the records of the company (including,
without limitation, by pairing and canceling offsetting long and
short positions). If it is not possible to liquidate all net open
contracts the company may liquidate such contracts by taking
opposite positions in the current expiration month for the account
of the defaulting subscriber 12 and liquidating the resultant
offset positions by a spread. All liquidations are for the account
and risk of the defaulting subscriber.
Payments in the Event of Default
[0083] The original margin of the defaulting subscriber 12 and any
of its other assets or credit facilities under the control of the
exchange are liquidated and applied by the company to pay the
amount owing (the "Defaulted Obligation"). If the margin and other
assets or credit facilities of the defaulting subscriber 12 under
the control of the company are in the aggregate less than the
defaulted obligation, and if the defaulting subscriber 12 fails to
pay the company the amount of the deficiency on demand, such
defaulting subscriber 12 continues to be liable for the
deficiency.
[0084] The amount of the deficiency, until collected from the
defaulting subscriber 12, is met from various sources. For example,
one set of sources of funds can be a loan on such terms and
conditions as the president may determine to be necessary or
appropriate; a guaranty fund or insurance proceeds, if any,
received by the company in connection with the event of default
giving rise to the defaulted obligation; and a surplus, if any, of
the exchange as the Board determines in accordance with the Bylaws
to be available for such purpose. The sources can be in a listed
order with each such source being fully exhausted before the next
following source is applied.
[0085] Referring to FIG. 14, an example 400 of the exchange process
used in system 11 is shown. Company Inc. decides 402 to trade
safflower and olive oil futures on system 11. Its CEO applies 404
to system 11 to become a Subscriber. Company Inc.'s head oil
trader, is designated 404 by Company Inc., as its authorized
trader. System 11 receives 406 Company Inc.'s application, which
includes its designation of a trader. The names of Company Inc.,
Subscriber, and Trader are forwarded 408 to the NFA for a
background check by NFA. NFA also verifies that Company Inc. is an
eligible swap participant based on Company Inc.'s financial
statements and databases (e.g., Dun & Bradstreet). With NFA's
check and Company Inc.'s subscriber agreement complete, system 11
produces 412 a trading account 18 for Company Inc. An
administrative user ID and password are provided 414 to Subscriber.
Administrative accounts do not have trading privileges. A trading
account user ID and password are provided 416 to Trader. Although
Company Inc. has a trading account 18 at system 11, Trader may not
enter trades because the company has not opened an account with a
custody bank.
[0086] The subscriber selects 418 a custodian bank from a list of
approved financial institutions (AFIs). The custodian bank opens
420 a system 11 sub-custodial account for the benefit of Company
Inc. After receiving a signed account agreement from Company Inc.
and verification from custodian bank, System 11 internally assigns
422 the Account at custodian bank to the Company Inc. trading
account 18.
[0087] Subscriber uses a secure Internet connection to system 11 to
authorize Trader to enter trades for the trading account 18.
Although an Trading account 18 has been provided and Trader has
been authorized to trade, system 11's trading system prohibits
Trader from entering trades because the Account has no assets to
cover original margin.
[0088] As an internal control, Subscriber restricts Company Inc.'s
trading activity to the safflower and olive oil markets.
Furthermore, Subscriber decides that Trader should be constrained
to trading 20 or fewer contracts per day and a position limit of 20
contracts. Subscriber uses the secure Internet connection to system
11 to establish these controls.
[0089] Subscriber deposits 428 assets in the sub-custodial account
e.g., six Treasury bills of $10,000 each and $5,000 in cash in the
sub-custodial Account. Custodian bank notifies 430 system 11, e.g.,
by fax or other manner that the six T-Bills and cash have been
placed in the Account. The notification includes a description of
each asset e.g. face value, CUSIP number, expiration date, issue
date, denomination, and so forth.
[0090] System 11 records 432 these deposits using a clearing
administrative screen for asset deposits. The records in the system
11 always reflect the assets in the account as verified by
custodian bank in its custodian bank capacity. Subscriber also
arranges for an irrevocable Letter of Credit (L/C) to be provided
by Bank for Company Inc.'s positions at system 11 in the amount of
$50,000. The L/C provides that it can be used only to support
margin requirements for Company Inc.'s trading in safflower or
Olive Oil contracts. Subscriber notifies system 11 of the L/C and
stipulates that the L/C is associated with the same Trading account
18 that Company Inc. previously funded at custodian bank so that
the total amount of Margin Eligible Assets in that trading account
18 is $115,000 ($60,000 T-bills, $5,000 cash, $50,000 L/C). System
11 receives the L/C from Bank and adds the L/C amount, less an L/C
"haircut", to the Trading Account "assets" of Company Inc. Trading
may now take place.
[0091] Referring to FIG. 15, the system 11 will approve Trader's
orders subject to the constraints placed by Subscriber's
administrative limits and original margin availability.
[0092] Trader places 450 a bid to buy 2 lots of safflower Oil
futures for a delivery date of Sep. 29, 2000. The trader is willing
to take delivery at "Any" location and in "Any" container type. The
trader is willing to pay up to $0.55 per gallon. (Contract
specifications are shown in TABLE 4 below.) This limit buy order is
placed 452 on the order book at system 11 and is disseminated 454
to all market participants. The order displays price and
quantity.
[0093] A second trader (already enabled to trade) places 456 an
offer to sell 2 lots of Company Inc. oil futures for delivery on
Sep. 29, 2000, with additional parameters of New York delivery in
10-gallon cans. The asking price is $0.60 per gallon. Because
second trader is willing to take delivery in New York and in
10-gallon containers, the second trader's bid is also displayed 458
on the order book. This is also a limit order, but on the sell side
of the market. All market participants see that the market for
safflower Oil, New York delivery, 10-gallon cans is bid $0.55 and
offered at $0.60. Company Inc.'s order would appear on any order
book for Company Inc. oil futures for delivery on Sep. 29, 2000
with a more specific delivery location or container
specification.
[0094] Trader decides to increase the offer to $0.57. The trader
does this by changing 460 the original offer. System 11 treats
price changes as a Cancel/Replace so Trader's order now reflects
the time priority of a new order. Because no one else has a limit
order in the system 11 at that side of the market for the same
price or better, Trader is still the best bid. If there were other
$0.57 bids entered before Trader's change, Trader would be behind
them in the time priority queue. The system changes the market to
reflect the new bid at 0.57 and the offer at 0.60. At this point
the second trader (seller) decides to hit the $0.57 bid. The second
trader can enter 466 the trade in a number of ways, e.g., by
cancelling and replacing the original order that is either a market
order or a limit order at $0.57.
[0095] Referring to FIG. 16, the system 11 performs 480 margin
determination for each trader. Company Inc. oil futures have an
Original Margin of $1,500. Therefore, two lots will produces an
Original Margin requirement of 2 times $1,500, or $3,000. The
system indicates 482 that a trade match at $0.57 is possible. A
real-time credit check 484 is performed to determine whether
Company Inc.'s total Original Margin requirement including the
result of the new trade is less than the Margin Obligation Eligible
Assets identified in the trading account 18. The check is also
performed for the other market participant.
[0096] Looking at the funds on deposit for Company Inc.'s Trading
account 18, the system notes total T-Bill value of $60,000, a
$50,000 L/C and cash of $5,000. Since T-Bills have a haircut of 5%,
and L/Cs have a 20% haircut. The clearance system 30 produces a
total "operating value" of assets equal to $57,000 ($60,000 minus
5%), plus $40,000 ($50,000 minus 20%) plus $5,000 for a total of
$102,000. The Company Inc.'s order is eligible 488 to be matched,
since the operating value is greater than the Original Margin
requirement. Assume for this example that the second trader does
not have sufficient margin 489.
[0097] If the second trader does not have sufficient Margin
Obligation Eligible Assets present at its Custody Bank to support
the trade, then no trade can occur between these two parties. The
second trader with the insufficient assets has the order placed 490
on system hold and is notified 492 electronically of the order
status and reason. Trade compliance staff is also notified of the
situation.
[0098] Referring back to FIG. 15, another market participant third
trader, with sufficient Margin Eligible Assets hits 468 Trader's
bid. Both parties receive 470 an electronic trade confirmation.
Upon match, market data is updated 472 to reflect the match. The
last trade price is updated and current volume count is increased.
The match is for the more specific product and information
regarding that product is updated. Subscriber sees the following
Trading Account statement:
TABLE-US-00005 Cash 5,000.00 5,000.00 Governments 60,000.00
57,000.00 L/C 50,000.00 40,000.00 Margin Requirement Company Inc.
Oil 2 long @$1,500.00 ($3,000.00) Less Open Contract Gains $20.00
Net Original Margin Requirement ($2,980.00) Margin Availability
$99,020.00
The system 11 collects and/or computes the following information
for display.
1) Margin Eligible Assets (Cash, Government Securities, Letters of
Credit, Foreign Currencies)
[0099] 2) Any reduction in the Margin Eligible Assets due to
haircuts on Government Securities, Letters of Credit, or Foreign
Currency amounts. 3) Margin requirements (Original, Delivery) 4)
Gains or losses associated with Open positions reflecting any
differences between the last mark-to-market and last pay collect.
5) Gains or losses from Closed Contract positions.
[0100] For mark-to-market the reference price is determined by the
system 11 and may be the last trade price, a computation derived
with bids or offers, or external reference prices. All accounts are
credited or debited with the amount of the gain or loss. An open
contract gain of $20.00 indicates that a mark-to-market occurred
since the last pay/collect cycle and that the mark-to-market was in
Company Inc.'s favor. Had the pay/collect occurred, then Company
Inc.'s cash would show a balance of $5,020.00 and the Open Contract
Gains would show a balance of $0. Open Contract Gains may be
applied to Margin Availability, but may not be withdrawn from an
account.
Settlement
[0101] Referring to FIGS. 17A and 17B, for Company Inc.'s account,
the reference price is now $0.55, which produces a loss of 0.02 per
contract, or a total loss of $20.00. The Trading account 18 will be
posted 502 with an Open Contract loss of $20.00. At midday, the
system 11 performs a scheduled intra-day mark-to-market 504 using
reference prices for all futures contracts. No pay-collect is
scheduled as a routine part of this mark-to-market, but all account
values are updated 506. The system 11 performs three different
operations during this process. Funds on deposit are revalued 508
(e.g. to reflect changes in the value of Government securities);
positions are revalued 510 using the latest reference prices; and
the latest Margin levels are applied 512 (e.g. there is an
intra-day change in margin rates).
End of Day Settlement--Company Inc.'s Trading Account
TABLE-US-00006 [0102] Company Inc. Oil Settlement Price is $0.50
Loss is 0.05 * 500 gallons * 2 lots = $50.00 Subscriber sees the
following Trading Account statement: Funds: Face Available for
Margin Cash 4,9500.00 4,950.00 Governments 60,000.00 57,000.00 L/C
50,000.00 40,000.00 Margin Requirement Company Inc. Oil 2 long
@$1,500.00 ($3,000.00) Less Open Contract Gains $0.00 Net Original
Margin Requirement ($3,000.00) Margin Availability $98,950.00
TABLE-US-00007 Subscriber sees the following Trading Account
statement: Funds: Face Available for Margin Cash 5,0000.00 5,000.00
Governments 60,000.00 57,000.00 L/C 50,000.00 40,000.00 Margin
Requirement Company Inc. Oil 2 long @$1,500.00 ($3,000.00) Less
Open Contract Loss $50.00 Net Original Margin Requirement
($3,050.00) Margin Availability $98,950.00
[0103] The safflower oil futures market contract specification
calls for daily variation margin payment. Therefore, system 11
clearing process 30 will debit 520 Company Inc.'s Subcustodial
account by $50. In the event that Company Inc. did not have
sufficient assets in the account, the Exchange would notify 522
subscriber of a payment requirement to be met no later than the
next morning. Failure to do so would trigger the default
proceedings described below. System 11 has no maintenance level
margin amounts for its customers. All variation margin calls must
be met regardless of amount.
[0104] In the event that the Company Inc. oil futures contract did
not specify daily variation margin payment, Subscriber's account
would be marked-to-market as in the Intra-day example. The
subscriber's Open Contract position would show a loss of $50.00,
making a total margin requirement $3,050.00 and the cash amount
would remain $5,000. In either case, Margin availability is the
same at $98,950.00. Notwithstanding that variation margin may not
be required on a daily cycle, the exchange 11 can reserve the right
to make a variation margin call (i.e. perform a pay collect) on any
contract market at any time. Furthermore, the company reserves the
right to make a variation margin call to any Class B member at any
time.
TABLE-US-00008 Contract Specification Category Specification system
11 Company Inc. Oil Trading unit 30,000 lbs. Futures Container
Railway tank car, 50-gallon drums, 10- gallon cans Price quotation
Cents/lb Daily price limit 1 cent per pound above or below previous
day's settlement price. Minimum price fluctuation 1/100.sup.th cent
($0.0001)/lb Expiration cycle Monthly Last trading day Eighth last
business day of the contract month. Last delivery day Last business
day of the month Delivery locations New York, Newark, Los Angeles,
Des Moines, Houston, Chicago Trading hours From 6:30 p.m. preceding
day to 5:30 p.m. Daily settlement time 3:00 p.m. Note: Pro-forma
contract and Note: Specifications are flexible. New specifications.
For example specifications can be added to suit purposes only.
market needs. In addition, when placing an order, a buyer or seller
can specify "Any" for specifications that they may be indifferent
to.
[0105] Assuming that Company Inc. defaults by incurring a
defaulting event described above in conjunction with FIG. 13. For
example Company Inc. fails to meet its obligations under its
contracts with the system or Company Inc., has a monetary default.
The subscriber's contracts will be liquidated unless there are
excess assets sufficient in one or more subscriber accounts to
cover the amount due, or liquidation of one or more positions will
satisfy the subscriber's obligations. In the later two cases, the
subscriber will remain in default and will be restricted to trade
for liquidation only until a re-application for subscriber status
is submitted and approved.
[0106] A monetary default occurs if Company Inc. holds a short
futures contract position and does not tender a delivery notice on
or before the time specified by the exchange or fails to make
delivery by the time specified by the system or if Company Inc.
holds a long futures contract position and does not accept delivery
or does not make full payment when due as specified by the system
11. A clearinghouse will be in contact with Company Inc. to
determine the reason for the delivery default. Depending on the
nature of the delivery default, the exchange and/or clearinghouse
may liquidate the position or use the initial and/or delivery
margin to mitigate the situation. In no circumstance does the
clearinghouse guarantee that the actual goods specified in the
contract are delivered to the long.
[0107] If the guarantor fails to timely perform with respect to any
demand of payment by the exchange system 11 for assets that are in
the custody account the guarantor also defaults and the exchange
and clearinghouse will revoke its status as an approved financial
institution and will seek to recover amounts from the guarantor
subject to its agreement with the clearinghouse.
[0108] Referring to FIG. 18, a trader has $6,000 in a custodial
account and wishes to get short one Five Year Note Contract. The
scenario below shows how the system clearinghouse would handle a
default. The Default process 530 is designed to eliminate risk to
the clearing system by linking daily price limits to real-time
collection of initial margin, which is a function of the daily
price limits. Five Year Note Contract has daily price limit equal
to 20 basis points or $2,000 per contract. All system contracts can
have daily price limits.
[0109] In this example, the initial margin for Five Year Note
Contracts is set 532 at $6,000. The trader's custodial account has
exactly $6,000 so the clearinghouse approves 534 the trade. All
contracts will have an initial margin not less than three times the
daily price limit, which equals the maximum loss that could be
incurred in two consecutive trading sessions. The prior settlement
for Five Year Notes was 92.00. Assume that the day's trading range
is 91.80 to 92.20 (20 basis points). The trader sells 536 a
contract at 91.80 (limit down) and the market settles at 92.20
(limit up). The maximum loss a trader could experience on the first
trading day equals twice the daily price limit (e.g. a sale at
91.80 with a close at 92.20 or a purchase at 92.20 and a close at
91.80). The trader is issued 538 a margin call at the end of the
first trading session equal to the $4,000 loss incurred. All system
contracts are marked-to-market daily. The system requires that the
trader has $10,000 ($4,000 loss plus $6,000 initial margin) in his
custodial account by 9 a.m. the next day 539. The sample trader
fails to supplement his custodial account with the $4,000 and is
therefore in default.
[0110] The exchange notifies 540 the trader that his account is in
default and is being liquidated. The system 11 enters a market
order 542 to buy the trader's short position back, but the market
is lock limit up at 92.40 and no offer is available. The exchange
does everything possible to liquidate 544 the contract in a manner
that is consistent with mitigating the trader's losses.
[0111] If at the end of the second trading session, the exchange
could not liquidate the contract 546 in the open market or find a
suitable hedge to protect itself, the clearinghouse will assign 548
the contract to the opposite side (i.e. long) on a
last-in-first-out basis at a price of 92.40. The clearinghouse thus
mutualizes the of risk among market participants. While this can be
used a last resort situation it is effective to maintain orderly
disposition of the defaulting subscriber's assets. The
clearinghouse will attempt all other liquidating processes before
resorting to this assignment.
[0112] The clearinghouse having assigned 548 the position at 92.40
experiences a loss of $6,000 on this trade. Offsetting this loss is
the $6,000 in initial margin coverage that the clearinghouse has in
the custody account of the trader. The clearinghouse has
successfully transferred both the position and liquidated the loss
without experiencing a loss. In all default situations where the
clearinghouse acts in this manner, it is certain to protect and
maintain its financial integrity.
[0113] Referring to FIG. 19, the system 11 that runs the exchange
10 has a layered set of network and application-level security
processes to prevent unauthorized access to the exchange 10 and to
ensure data integrity and privacy. Specific security technologies
can include firewalls 410, intrusion detection 412, cryptography
414, and access control 416. Internet connectivity uses a secure
socket layer, along with user IDs and passwords. The exchange 10
includes a secure database containing financial information.
[0114] All data transmissions between a user's computer and the
exchange servers can be encrypted. Using standard web technology,
the exchange 10 includes a network of web servers 420 that
distribute the workload of communicating between the exchange 10
trading system and the users. Load balancing is used to keep all of
the servers working at about the same level, providing uniform
performance and response for all users. One or more database
servers deliver data to fill requests from each of the web servers
and ensure that all data requests are handled uniformly, so as not
to enable a user or set of users any advantage over any other
users. The exchange 10 can add more data servers, and apportion
their use by contract genus on a dynamic basis. This process will
ensure that increased trading levels in one contract genus can be
isolated so as not to affect trading in other contract genera.
[0115] The Exchange 10 can have a disaster recovery plan that is
organized to address Maintenance and quality control, fault
detection, fault isolation and recovery from a system problem. The
system can use multiple redundant installations of software
components and hardware components. The system can also have
redundant databases. The system will include redundant power
supplies, Internet gateways, and other infrastructure components.
The Exchange 10's systems can be implemented at geographically
separate sites.
[0116] In one implementation standard PCS and web browsers are the
only technological requirements to access the exchange 10.
[0117] Other embodiments are within the scope of the appended
claims.
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